DaBruinz

Thank you for proving you didn't watch a single pre-season snap. Cassel doesn't suck. And obviously the Pats didn't feel that Gutierrez would make it through waivers.

McBee, you regularly make asinine and your original post and follow-up just are more proof of it.

spacecrime

Yeah, 10 for 14 for 99 yards and a scoring drive in a quarter and a half using third stringers against the Giants first string offense. What a stiff. The best player Cassel had at his disposal was Heath Evans, RB extraordinaire. Heath was given a breather when Bam Childress lined up in the backfield. I'll bet that kept the safeties in and opened up passing lanes

He looked better than most of the backup QBs that played against us in preseason. As far as making it through waivers, what do you know that BB and SP don't? Because quite obviously they didn't try it.

Go watch some tape of Kliff Kingsbury. Compare him to Gutierrez. Remember that Kliff went on IR to avoid being signed off waivers, and when we cut him, he played on at least 2 NFL teams.

betterthanthealternative

I'm always amused when people use the word "sucks" to describe someone who is one of the top 5% in his chosen field.

Pat_the_Patriot

Wow! Do you watch games? Do you follow the team? Cassel is a quality backup QB for a bunch of reasons:

1. He can handle being a backup... knows his role, emulates one of the best QBs in the game and works REALLY hard to be ready to come in at any time... one snap, one game, one season... he's ready to go.

2. He KNOWS the offense... really knows the offense... we don't miss a beat when he comes in to play... now he isn't as good as Brady... given, but he can move the ball against first team defenses... as evidenced in the Giants preseason game.

3. He's cheap... he doesn't waste cap space the way other backup QBs do... he's grateful for the draft... he's humble, he's thankful for his roster spot and works well with others.

4. He helps TB... TB is the "master" and Cassel is the student... but the kid knows the game and can/will/does work through the tape with Brady.

5. He's pretty good. He MIGHT be better than some starters... I wouldn't bet the house on that... but he's certainly better than most backups.


As for Gutierrez... in my opinion, there is no way that he makes it through waivers... he showed WAY too much promise in the preseason (and I'm guessing in camp)... but my opinion means nothing... obviously BB and Pioli also thought this. The kid moved the ball.. showed poise... and, in flashes, looked as good as/slightly better than Cassel. He is also VERY cheap... and gives us some development.

Someone else put it out there right... were you against keeping Brady a few years ago?

Again, WOW.

__________________
"In New England, the rich don't just get richer. They get smarter."

- Peter King 3/21/2007 in an article entitled "All Roads Lead To Foxborough"

amazinPats

I actually feel that we can still win without Brady.

I'd prefer that Brady stays in, but I feel comfortable that Cassell can win games with this deep squad.

Stokes

Off the QB discussion, I was disappointed they let Justin Rogers go. I know they have a number of other young guys at OLB, but I really liked the way he played this preseason. Hope he makes it through waivers and onto the practice squad. Ditto Childress and Kight.

Also for those that think Cassel "sucks" I'm sure they could always sign Vinnie T down the road if Brady got hurt (I don't know if that makes you feel better or worse). I don't think we really know yet what we have in Cassel, but what I've seen has been very promising, I don't think I've ever seen him play really bad.

stinkypete

Cassell's batter than several NFL backups.

Jared Lorenzen? Seneca Wallace? Brooks Bollinger? Patrick Ramsey? Ryan Fitzpatrick? C'mon man, calling Cassell useless is plain ignorant.

As for Gutierrez, he wouldn't have cleared waivers, and Cassell's deal will be up after next season. Given his improvement, Cassell will probably be in some demand, quality backup QB's are. If Belichick thinks Gutierrez can potentially replace Cassell's role on the team, then it is a wise long-term decision to keep him around.

Testaverde will be back if Brady goes down.